INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME
Speakers & Presenters
The people behind MIFF 2026’s masterclasses, keynotes and panels — from the American Film Showcase to Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Godox, NFVF and the government agencies building Mpumalanga’s creative economy.
DIRECTORY
MIFF 2026 Speaker Directory
Quan Phung
US Embassy / American Film Showcase
Monday 3 Aug · 13:00–17:00
Keynote + Masterclass + TV Workshop
Keynote + Masterclass + TV Workshop
International film distribution, storytelling, streaming platforms, show development
Siya Mpanza
Rocket Science
Wednesday 5 Aug · 13:00–14:20
Film Data Management & Archives
Film Data Management & Archives
Digital storage, film archiving, backup systems, DCP management, film data centres
Mr B
Vertical Films (Independent)
Wednesday 5 Aug · 14:30–15:20
Vertical Films Masterclass
Vertical Films Masterclass
Mobile-first content, TikTok/Reels/Shorts, brand content, monetisation
Damien Bradshaw
Godox SA
Wednesday 5 Aug · 15:30–16:20
Lighting Masterclass
Lighting Masterclass
Film lighting, LED technology, rental industry, production budgeting
Shintaro Umekage
Panasonic
Thursday 6 Aug · 13:00–14:20
Wildlife Camera Technology
Wildlife Camera Technology
PTZ cameras, cinema cameras, broadcast systems, entry-level film equipment
Zoey
Nology & ABSEN (China)
Thursday 6 Aug · 14:30–15:20
LED Cinema Technology
LED Cinema Technology
Outdoor LED screens, large-format displays, outdoor cinema infrastructure
MTPA Representative
Mpumalanga Tourism & Parks Agency
Thursday 6 Aug · 15:30–16:20
Wildlife Storytelling Panel
Wildlife Storytelling Panel
Wildlife filming permits, conservation storytelling, tourism-film synergy
SANParks Film Liaison
SANParks
Thursday 6 Aug · 15:30–16:20
Wildlife Storytelling Panel
Wildlife Storytelling Panel
Filming in protected areas, conservation practice, KNP production requirements
Marius van Straaten
Visual Impact / Sony SA
Friday 7 Aug · 13:00–14:00
Sony Film Equipment & Investment
Sony Film Equipment & Investment
Camera technology, equipment pricing, buy vs rent analysis, production budgeting
Danny Yang
Hollyland
Friday 7 Aug · 14:00–15:00
Wireless Production Systems
Wireless Production Systems
Wireless video, monitoring, intercom, multi-camera workflow, remote production
Enrico Vaccari
Axel Technology
Friday 7 Aug · 15:00–16:00
Broadcast Automation & Online TV
Broadcast Automation & Online TV
Broadcast automation, IPTV, online TV, AI in broadcasting, radio-TV integration
NYDA Representative
National Youth Development Agency
Friday 7 Aug · 16:00–17:00
Government Support Panel
Government Support Panel
Youth entrepreneurship funding, creative sector grants
SEDA Representative
Small Enterprise Development Agency
Friday 7 Aug · 16:00–17:00
Government Support Panel
Government Support Panel
Small business development, enterprise support for film companies
NEF Representative
National Empowerment Fund
Friday 7 Aug · 16:00–17:00
Government Support Panel
Government Support Panel
Black business funding, equity financing for film companies
DFA Representative
Department of Film and Arts
Friday 7 Aug · 16:00–17:00
Government Support Panel
Government Support Panel
Distribution funding, film incentives, policy support
Canon Wildlife Expert
Canon SA
Saturday 8 Aug · 13:00–13:45
Wildlife Photography & Long Lens
Wildlife Photography & Long Lens
Camera systems, telephoto lenses, AI autofocus, wildlife cinematography
Media Valley
Media Valley
Saturday 8 Aug · 13:45–14:30
Future of Wildlife Content
Future of Wildlife Content
Wildlife content distribution, global demand, commissioning
FAME Week Africa Rep
FAME Week Africa
Saturday 8 Aug · 14:30–15:00
International Markets
International Markets
Film market participation, international positioning, FAME Week 2026
NFVF Representative
National Film & Video Foundation
Tuesday 4 Aug · 13:00–14:00
NFVF Funding Presentation
NFVF Funding Presentation
Film funding, co-production, grants, SA film policy
FPB Representative
Film Publication Board
Tuesday 4 Aug · 15:00–15:30
FPB Classification
FPB Classification
Classification, digital compliance, online distribution regulation
DCSR Representative
Dept of Culture, Sport & Recreation
Tuesday 4 Aug · 15:30–16:30
Growing Mpumalanga’s Creative Economy
Growing Mpumalanga’s Creative Economy
Creative economy policy, grant funding, provincial film strategy
Office of the Premier
Mpumalanga Provincial Government
Sunday 2 Aug · 14:45–15:00
Opening Ceremony Address
Opening Ceremony Address
Provincial government leadership, creative economy mandate
City of Mbombela
City of Mbombela
Sunday 2 Aug · 15:00–15:15
Opening Ceremony Address
Opening Ceremony Address
Municipal support, infrastructure, Mbombela as film city
DEDET Representative
DEDET
Sunday 2 Aug / Sat 8 Aug · 15:30 / 15:20
Opening Ceremony / WildM Panel
Opening Ceremony / WildM Panel
Economic development, tourism investment, film-tourism synergy
NYDA Representative
NYDA
Opening / Monday / Friday / Saturday · Various
Multiple Sessions
Multiple Sessions
Youth development, creative entrepreneurship funding, film industry access
MIFF Festival Director
MIFF / The Akuna Studio
All days · Various
Host & Programme Director
Host & Programme Director
Festival direction, film industry development, Mpumalanga creative economy